Laserfiche WebLink
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SISTER -CITY RELATIONSHIP <br /> BETWEEN ORMOC CITY, PHILIPPINES AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND <br /> AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO ENTER INTO A FORMAL <br /> SIGNED AGREEMENT. <br /> WHEREAS, the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i and the Hawai`i County <br /> Council have jointly promoted a Sister -City program to foster friendship and understanding among all of <br /> the world, particularly those in the Pacific Basin; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Sister -City program benefits the people of the affiliated cities <br /> through the exchange of economic development, cultural and educational information of mutual interest, <br /> and other matters of common interest; and <br /> WHEREAS, contact has been made between officials of the government of <br /> Ormoc City and the County of Hawai`i to discuss the establishment of a Sister -City relationship between <br /> Ormoc City, Philippines and the County of Hawai`i; and <br /> WHEREAS, The Philippines and Hawai`i have a long historical connection beginning with the <br /> introduction of agricultural workers, known as sakadas, in 1906; and <br /> WHEREAS, according to the 2005 American Community Survey, 23.5% of the population of the <br /> State of Hawai`i is of Filipino descent; and <br /> WHEREAS, Ormoc City and Hawai`i Island share many commonalities, which includes the use <br /> of geothermal energy to power their utility grids to meet their pressing needs for clean, locally produced <br /> energy; and <br /> WHEREAS, Ormoc City and Hawai`i Island are said to be the most beautiful islands in their <br /> respective island chains, relying on the economies of tourism, construction, and governmental services to <br /> support their populations; and <br /> WHEREAS, Ormoc City and Hawai`i Island share cultural commonalities such as the Leyte <br /> Dance Troupe and Hawaii Island's annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival; and <br /> WHEREAS, benefits to a Sister City agreement between Ormoc City and the County of Hawai`i <br /> include geothermal information & technical exchange, enhanced economic & business partnerships, and <br /> educational & cultural exchange; and <br /> WHEREAS, this resolution will be augmented with written covenants between the mayors of <br /> both the County of Hawai`i and Ormoc City and additionaly supported with a signed service agreement <br /> citing agreed responsibilities for the County of Hawaii, and the sister -city sponsors, Congress of Visayan <br /> Organzations (COVO), Kona Visayan Club and HiloVisayan Club; now, therefore, <br />